US housing starts hit 13-month high while consumer confidence unexpectedly improves amid mixed economic signals. In related news: Canada reports lower than expected deficit; lumber futures hit 7-week low; and Metsä Group’s Q1 earnings tumble. In other Business news: FPAC say Canada must boost its competitiveness; municipalities voice concern over Interfor curtailments; Unifor wants support for Quebec’s furniture sector; Northern Pulp’s mill closure plan is still not complete; and the US Lumber Coalition says Canada’s dumping investigations mirror US actions.

In Forestry news: the University of Alberta creates Endowed Chair in Indigenous Forestry; North Cowichan votes against motion on raw-log exports; BC Wildfire Service kicks-off training boot camp; excessive drought continues over 60% of the US; Minnesota plants 2 million seedlings; and Georgia reports progress on wildfire emergency.

Finally, tropical rainforest loss dropped 36% in 2025 but fires threaten to reverse gains.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor